Bubble blowing device

ABSTRACT

A bubble blowing device comprising a bubble solution holder which is molded to a hollow, decorative configuration, a pair of elongated hinge members projecting upwardly from the holder, the hinge members being molded to form a pair of opposed elongated recesses. A cap pivotally connects to the holder at the hinge members by means of an extending, integral strap. The strap terminates outwardly in a pair of transverse, opposed pin members of length substantially equal to the distance between recesses when measured to their respective backs. To make up the pivotal joint between the cap and the holder, one pin member is inserted into one recess near its bottom and the cap is angularly moved relative to the holder to position the second pin member near the top of the second recess. By bending the second pin sufficiently, it can then be urged into the second recess to form a complete pivotal connection.

United States Patent [1 1 Ziff [ Nov. 5, 1974 BUBBLE BLOWING DEVICE [75] Inventor: Louis J. Ziff, Philadelphia, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Larami Corporation, Philadelphia,

22 Filed: May 21,1973

21 Appl. No.: 362,528

[52] US. Cl. 46/7 [51] Int. Cl A63h 33/28 [58] Field of Search 46/7, 8

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,720,723 10/1955 Peretti 46/7 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 696,574 10/1964 Canada 46/7 Primary ExaminerHugh R. Chamblee Assistant ExaminerJ. Q. Lever Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Weiser, Stapler & Spivak [5 7 ABSTRACT A bubble blowing device comprising a bubble solution holder which is molded to a hollow, decorative configuration, a pair of elongated hinge members projecting upwardly from the holder, the hinge members being molded to form a pair of opposed elongated recesses. A cap pivotally connects to the holder at the hinge members by means of an extending, integral strap. The strap terminates outwardly in a pair of transverse, opposed pin members of length substantially equal to the distance between recesses when measured to their respective backs. To make up the pivotal joint between the cap and the holder, one pin member is inserted into one recess near its bottom and the cap is angularly moved relative to the holder to position the second pin member near the top of the second recess. By bending the second pin sufficiently, it can then be urged into the second recess to form a complete pivotal connection.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures BUBBLE BLOWING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the field of More recently, special wands have been developed which comprise a stem affixed to an'annular member of suitable size for dipping into a container of soap solution. After applying the soap solution to the wand by dipping and then rapidly fanning the wand through the air in a direction normal to a plane drawn through the annular section, bubbles could accordingly be produced by the air pressure thus developed. These prior art types of devices have provided many hours of enjoyment for children, but such devices are now becoming passe and stereotyped. Accordingly, the conventional types of bubble blowing pipes and wands are losing favor because they are not stimulating enough to excide the more sophisticated tastes of today's children.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to bubble blowing devices, and more particularly, is directed to a novel combination bubble solution container and bubble blowing apparatus.

The apparatus of the present invention comprises a decorative holder which, in the present embodiment, may be conveniently molded in the form of the configuration of a monkeys head or other configuration in accordance with well established principles. The decorative holder is generally hollow in form in accordance with conventional injection or blow molding techniques and terminates upwardly in an opening of size to receive a soap container therein. Peripherally outwardly from the opening are integrally molded a pair of opposed hinge members which are vertically elongated to pivotally and adjustably receive the combination closure and bubble producing cap. The closure and bubble producing cap is equipped with integral molded pins which pivot about the hinge members from an open position wherein the closure seals the bubble solution within the soap container.

The bubble producing cap includes a concentric opening provided with an exteriorally extending boss for connection of a blowing rod or stem. Interiorly, the opening is equipped with a boss extension to which an inwardly extending ring which is suitable to dip into the soap solution and to retain a portion thereof for bubble blowing purposes is suitably suspended. The pivotal connection between the cap and the decorative holder is arranged for both pivoting the cap relative to the holder and also to permit limited vertical adjustment of the cap during the opening and closing procedure. The vertical adjustment of the hinge members permits the integral molded plastic hinge pin of the cap to be pivot- 2 ally affixed by an angular movement to thereby eliminate the need for metallic pins, springs and the like.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved bubble blowing device of the type set forth.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel bubble blowing device incorporating a decorative holder having a soap container therein and a combination closure and bubble producing cap hingedly connected to the decorative holder.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel bubble blowing device incorporating a decorative holder and soap container arranged therein, the said decorative holder being equipped with a pair of vertically elongated hinge members which pivotally and vertically adjustably receive the integral hinge pin of a closure and bubble producing cap.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel bubble blowing device having a decorative holder and soap container therein and a combination closure and bubble blowing cap hingedly connected to the decorative holder, the cap having integral opposed pins molded in the cap which cooperate with integral elongated hinge members which are integrally molded with the decorative holder.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel bubble blowing device which includes a decorative holder and a soap solution container arranged therein, vertically elongated hinge members molded with the decorativeholder adjacent the soap container and a combination closure and bubble blowing cap hingedly connected to the hinge members, said cap including a concentric opening for producing bubbles and an interior molded bubble ring which dips into the soap container when in the closed position and retains a portion of the soap solutionwhen pivoted to the open position for bubble blowing purposes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel bubble blowing device that is inexpensive in manufacture, decoratively attractive in appearance and trouble-free when in use.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention will be had by referring to the following description and claims of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a bubble blowing device in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an assembled, perspective view of the device.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along Line 3-3 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 3, showing the cap in open position.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, sectional view of the hinge showing the cover being attached to the holder.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the hinge pin in fully seated position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of my invention selected for illustration in the drawings, and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings. I show in FIG. I a bubble blowing device which includes a decorative holder 12 which is fabricated of plastic material such as styrene which is suitable for molding to a hollow configuration in accordance with well known injection or blow molding techniques. In the illustration shown, the decorative holder has been molded to the form of a stylized monkeys head as illustrative of the type decorative device which may be employed in conjunction with the present invention. It is the purpose of the decorative configuration to impart an attractive appearance to the device to be most attractive to children. A combination closure and bubble producing cap 14 hingedly connects to the decorative holder 12 for both closure purposes and for bubble producing purposes as hereinafter more fully set forth.

As best seen in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the decorative holder 12 is formed by molding or otherwise to a hollow interior configuration l6 and terminates upwardly in a circular opening 18 through which the interior I6 is readily accessible. Integrally molded with the holder 12 are a pair of spaced, vertically elongated hinge members 20, 22 which are positioned peripherally outwardly from the top circular opening 18. The hinge members 20, 22 project vertically upwardly from the top 24 of the holder 12. As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, an inwardly extending boss 52, which may be integral, inward extension of the boss 38, inwardly surrounds the concentric opening 36. The attaching rings 48 may be cemented or otherwise affixed to the inwardly extending boss 52 to thereby provide a sturdy, concentric base to carry the bubble blowing ring 44. The closure and bubble producing cap 14 includes a peripheral, depending sidewall 54 which terminates downwardly in a peripheral tongue 56 for cup closure purposes.

Referring still to FIGS. 3 and 4, I show a molded, plastic cup 58 of generally cylindrical construction of size to fit within the top opening 18 and having cylindrical sidewall 60 and an integral bottom closure 62. The sidewall 60 terminates upwardly in an annular flange 64 which seats upon the top surface of the decorative holder 12. The sidewall 60 should be fabricated to a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the circular opening 18 to thereby permit easy assembly. The peripheral tongue 56 of the cap sidewall 54 is fabricated to be a press fit within the cup 58 to thereby seal the liquid soap solution (not shown) within the cup 58 when the cap 14 is in the closed position as illustrated in FIG. 3. When the cap 14 is pivoted about the hinge members 20, 22 to the open position as illustrated in FIG. 4, the cup 58 is thus exposed for either adding or removing additional soap bubble solutions (not shown).

The hinge members 20, 22 project upwardly from the top surface 24 of the decorative holder 12 and are molded to provide a pair of facing, vertically oriented recesses 26, 28 for hinge operational purposes as hereinafter more fully set forth. The vertical recesses 26, 28

are bottomly closed by the top surface 24 of the decorative holder 12. The recesses 26, 28 are upwardly closed by integral, molded end closures 30, 32 to receive and retain the transverse, molded hinge pin 34 of the cap 14 in the manner hereinafter more fully set forth.

As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the combination closure and bubble producing cap 14 is provided with a concentric center opening 36 of size to permit sufficient air for bubble blowing purposes to pass therethrough. An exterior boss 38 is provided in conjunction with the cap 14 and may be integrally molded therewith. The boss 38 extends upwardly a sufficient distance to provide a suitable seat for receipt of the bubble blowing rod or stem 40. The stem 40 may be conventionally molded or extruded of flexible plastic material such as styrene or polyethylene plastic and is provided with a longitudinally extending central bore 42 of size to closely overfit and frictionally engage the boss 38. Thus, by affixing one end of the stem 40 onto the boss 38, an extending rod can be provided to permit convenient operation to blow air through the concentric opening 36.

Interiorly of the cap 14 is provided a bubble blowing ring 44 which is interiorly carried in spaced relationship from the cap 14 by a plurality of peripherally spaced struts 46. The struts 46 terminate upwardly in an attaching ring 48 which may be cemented. The struts 46 should be fabricated just long enough to permit the bubble blowing ring 44 to clear the sidewall of the cup 58 when the cap 14 is pivoted between the open and closed positions.

As best seen in FIG. 1, the combined closure and bubble producing cap 14 is provided near the bottom edge of the sidewall 54 with an integrally molded, radially outwardly extending strap 66 which terminates outwardly in an integral, transverse hinge pin 34. The hinge pin 34 includes the outwardly projecting opposed pin members 68, 70. The distance between the ends of the pin members 68, 70 is constructed greater than the distance between the hinge members 20, 22 as measured horizontally across the top surface 24 and is substantially equal to the horizontal distance measured between the respective bottoms 27, 29 of the recesses 26, 28. See FIG. 6. Further, the geometry of the system is such that the distance between the ends of the pin members 68, 70 is just slightly greater than the diagonal distance between the bottom of one vertical recess 26 and the top of the other vertical recess 28 of the hinge members 20, 22 respectively. By utilizing this construction, and by angularly positioning the hinge pin 34 relative to the hinge members 20, 22, the opposed pin members 68, 70 can be associated with the respective right and left vertical recesses 26, 28 by slightly flexing one of the pin members 70 sufficiently to allow it to pass the top closure 32 and to enter into the vertical recess 28. See FIG. 5. Then, by horizontally aligning the hinge pin 34 between the hinge members 20, 22, as in FIG. 6, the hinge pin is free to vertically rise or fall within the vertival recesses 26, 28 and to pivot thereabout. The hinge member construction about the vertical recesses 26, 28 retains the hinge pin 34 in association with the hinge members 20, 22. In this manner, the need for separate, metallic hinge pins, spring activated hinge pins or other more costly and complicated hinge devices can be completely eliminated.

Although I have described the present invention with reference to the particular embodiments therein set forth, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should not be limited by the foregoing specification, but rather only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim: 1. In a bubble blowing device, the combination of A. holder of generally hollow configuration to receive soap solution,

1. said holder being provided with a top opening and a top surface surrounding the opening;

B. a pair of opposed first and second hinge members projecting upwardly from the holder.

1. said hinge members being each provided with an elongated vertical recess, the said vertical recesses having open fronts and closed backs,

a. the said open fronts and closed backs facing each other; C. a cap pivotally connected to the holder and movable from a closed position to an open position,

1. said cap closing the said top opening of the holder when in the closed position,

2. said cap carrying an outwardly extending strap,

3. said strap terminating outwardly in a pair of opposed, transverse, first and second pin members,

a. said pin members being integral with the strap and having opposed ends,

b. each said pin member inserting into one said vertical recess to permit the cap to pivot relative to the holder,

c. the distance between the ends of the pin members being greater than the clear distance between the hinge members and being substantially equal to the distance between the closed backs of the vertical recesses;

D. bubble blowing means to produce bubbles from the soap solution,

1. said bubble blowing means including a ring which is spaced from the cap and which extends into the holder when the cap is in the closed position,

2. said cap being provided with an opening to direct air through the ring for bubble blowing purposes when the cap is pivoted to the open position.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the recesses each terminate upwardly in a top and downwardly in a bottom, the said bottom being the top surface surrounding the holder opening.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein the pin members are less in height than the height of the recesses and have both pivoted movement and vertical movement relative to the hinge members.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein the pin members are fabricated of resilient material.

5. The invention of claim 3 wherein the diagonal distance from the bottom of one vertical recess to the top of the other vertical recess is slightly less than the distance between the ends of the pin members.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein one pin member is inserted into one recess at the bottom thereof and the cap is angularly inclined to position the second pin member near the top of the second recess when assembling the cap to the holder.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein the second pin member is slightly bent to insert the second pin member into the second recess. 

1. In a bubble blowing device, the combination of A. holder of generally hollow configuration to receive soap solution,
 1. said holder being provided with a top opening and a top surface surrounding the opening; B. a pair of opposed first and second hinge members projecting upwardly from the holder,
 1. said hinge members being each provided with an elongated vertical recess, the said vertical recesses having open fronts and closed backs, a. the said open fronts and closed backs facing each other; C. a cap pivotally connected to the holder and movable from a closed position to an open position,
 1. said cap closing the said top opening of the holder when in the closed position,
 2. said cap carrying an outwardly extending strap,
 3. said strap terminating outwardly in a pair of opposed, transverse, first and second pin members, a. said pin members being integral with the strap and having opposed ends, b. each said pin member inserting into one said vertical recess to permit the cap to pivot relative to the holder, c. the distance between the ends of the pin members being greater than the clear distance between the hinge members and being substantially equal to the distance between the closed backs of the vertical recesses; D. bubble blowing means to produce bubbles from the soap solution,
 1. said bubble blowing means including a ring which is spaced from the cap and which extends into the holder when the cap is in the closed position,
 2. said cap being provided with an opening to direct air through the ring for bubble blowing purposes when the cap is pivoted to the open position.
 2. said cap carrying an outwardly extending strap,
 2. said cap being provided with an opening to direct air through the ring for bubble blowing purposes when the cap is pivoted to the open position.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the recesses each terminate upwardly in a top and downwardly in a bottom, the said bottom being the top surface surrounding the holder opening.
 3. The invention of claim 2 wherein the pin members are less in height than the height of the recesses and have both pivoted movement and vertical movement relative to the hinge members.
 3. said strap terminating outwardly in a pair of opposed, transverse, first and second pin members, a. said pin members being integral with the strap and having opposed ends, b. each said pin member inserting into one said vertical recess to permit the cap to pivot relative to the holder, c. the distance between the ends of the pin members being greater than the clear distance between the hinge members and being substantially equal to the distance between the closed backs of the vertical recesses; D. bubble blowing means to produce bubbles from the soap solution,
 4. The invention of claim 3 wherein the pin members are fabricated of resilient material.
 5. The invention of claim 3 wherein the diagonal distance from the bottom of one vertical recess to the top of the other vertical recess is slightly less than the distance between the ends of the pin members.
 6. The invention of claim 5 wherein one pin member is inserted into one recess at the bottom thereof and the cap is angularly inclined to position the second pin member near the top of the second recess when assembling the cap to the holder.
 7. The invention of claim 6 wherein the second pin member is slightly bent to insert the second pin member into the second recess. 